MOTOR CARS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 135, 29 November 1911, Page 4

MOTOR CARS.

A CHARGE REFUTKD. Speaking at Bawera, the Premier said he was surprised at the .statements being made by gome of his opponents, high up in the political world, regarding the Government and motor cars. They had mixed up motor cars and perambulators, suggesting tho-t the Government) had dome something wrong in the tariff as between motor ears and perambulators. He went on to explain and justify the remission of duty on parts of motor cars. He said that the only parts of the motor cars that were admitted duty free weTe those 'which could not be made in \ew Zealand. The chassis was free for the reason that that could not be made here. At any rate, no one, he thought, would run the risk of using a chassis 'manufactured in New Zealand. As the results of the. Government's action a large number of bodies were now being made in New Zealand. There were, he believed. IKWO more mm working in the garages to-day, and there were quite an equal number of additional chauffeurs. (Applause.) Some of his Opposition friends had been referring to his (Sir Joseph) owning-a motor car; as a matter of fact, he had two. One,, he said, had been bought entiirely fox himself, and it was very seldom used, lie could assure them. The other he purchased for the social work of his wife and family. He explained the social demands on the wife of a Minister, and Ba-id they were found so heavy that only by use of a motor car could they be kept pace with, but wthen he sold has lorees to secure more modern means of getting about, his opponents said, "Oh, Ward has solid Jiis horses; he is leaving the country." (Laughter and applause.) He added that in Australia and other places motor cars were supplied to the Ministers by the State, but he paid for his own, a«id used it in the service of the public. (Applause.) As to the duty oa peramula-tons, that was retained because there were a number of manufactories in New Zealand, and there was no good reason why they could not be manufactored iheTe. The friend who had made a grievance about perambulators might, he suggested, be put in one and wheeled about till he learned something about public affairs. (Laughter.)